NFL Hot Press
*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Some Sources Question Malik Jefferson's Love of Football
Updated Sept. 14, 2017By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Since before his freshman season, Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson has had attention on him as a potential future high draft pick for the NFL. Jefferson was a top recruit for Texas and former coach Charlie Strong. Jefferson flashed a great skill set as a freshman with pro size and speed. He looks like he is dripping with athletic upside; however, sources from NFL teams are hearing about dedication issues with Jefferson as they put together his scouting report for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Around the scouting community, it has been heard that Jefferson is likely to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder has ideal size and length to be an inside linebacker with speed and natural strength for the pro game. Sources are hearing from staff around Jefferson, however, that they don't feel that he really loves football, which can be seen in a lack of dedication to preparation.
That lack of love of the game could explain why Jefferson hasn't turned his great skill set into production on the field. In 2015, the freshman totaled 61 tackles with seven for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one forced fumble. As a sophomore, he recorded 59 tackles with 5.5 sacks and three passes broken up. Jefferson has 16 tackles after two games this year - eight tackles were assisted and eight were solo. He has zero tackles for a loss, zero sacks, zero passes broken up, zero forced fumbles and zero interceptions. Obviously, two games isn't enough of a sample size to render judgement on his junior year.
Some sources believe that Jefferson could get a team to take him in the early rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft even if his production is never great because his natural skill set should lead to him testing well in the leadup to the draft.
Jefferson needs to start producing more consistently while showing a good work ethic and dedication to training in order to improve his draft report. That will be tested in the months leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft as well with how he prepares for the combine, pro day, and team interviews. This Saturday, Jefferson will be in a high-profile game against USC, and many sources think he could play motivated football against the Trojans as there will be a lot of attention on that prime-time game. Producing more out of his great skill set and showing a passion for the game would help to turn around the sour start to Jefferson's scouting report around the NFL.
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